Retractable turnspout closure

ABSTRACT

A retractable turnspout closure is adapted to extend across the neck of a container. A plug with an eccentrically located opening extends across the top of the neck. A tubular wall defines this opening and includes an upper lip serving as a valve seat. A turnspout is mounted on the tubular wall and includes a valve plug portion which cooperates with the valve seat in providing a valve adapted to be opened to permit discharge of the container contents to the turnspout and closed to seal this passage. A cap having a lateral opening extends over the turnspout and plug. This cap is adapted to be rotated in one direction and includes a contact member for engaging the spout to turn it and extend it out through the lateral opening. During this movement, cooperating ramps between the spout and plug raise the turnspout and consequently the valve plug member to open the valve. A reverse movement of the cap causes a contact surface thereon to engage the turnspout and retract it inwardly of the cap. During this movement, a ramp on the cap engages the turnspout to shift it downwardly to close the valve. A child safety feature is included whereby the cap is adapted to be locked against movement when the turnspout is interiorly disposed therein. Towards this end an outwardly biased shield forming part of the plug is adapted to be disposed in the cap opening, and shifted to lock the cap in this position. When it is desired to dispense the container contents only a deliberate shifting inwardly of this shield by the intended user will free the cap to permit the turnspout to project outwardly.

Unite States Pte icallet 1 Nov. 12, 1974 1 1 RETRACTABLE TURNSPOUTCLOSURE Lewis A. Micallef, New York, NY.

[73] Assignee: Leeds and Micallef, New York, NY.

[22] Filed: Feb. 16, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 332,923

[75] Inventor:

Primary Examiner-Robert B. Reeves Assistant Examiner-H. Grant Skaggs,Jr. Attorney, Agent, or Firml(ane, Dalsimer, Kane, Sullivan and Kurucz[57] ABSTRACT A retractable turnspout closure is adapted to extendacross the neck of a container. A plug with an eccentrieally locatedopening extends across the top of the neck. A tubular wall defines thisopening and includes an upper lip serving as a valve seat. A turnspoutis mounted on the tubular wall and includes a valve plug portion whichcooperates with the valve seat in providing a valve adapted to be openedto permit discharge of the container contents to the turnspout andclosed to seal this passage. A cap having a lateral opening extends overthe turnspout and plug. This cap is adapted to be rotated in onedirection and includes a contact member for engaging the spout to turnit and extend it out through the lateral opening. During this movement,cooperating ramps between the spout and plug raise the turnspout andconsequently the valve plug member to open the valve. A reverse movementof the cap causes a contact surface thereon to engage the turnspout andretract it inwardly ol' the cap. During this movement. a ramp on the capengages the turnspout to shift it downwardly to close the valve. A childsafety feature is included whereby the cap is adapted to be lockedagainst movement when the turnspout is interiorly disposed therein.Towards this end an outwardly biased shield forming part 01 the plug isadapted to be disposed in the cap opening. and shifted to lock the capin this position. When it is desired to dispense the container contentsonly a deliberate shifting inwardly of this shield by the intended userwill free the cap to permit the turnspout to project outwardly,

14 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEUHUV 12 191 3847313 sum 20s a FIG. 3H614 1 RETRACTABLE TURNSPOUT CLOSURE CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENTThis application relates to the general subject matter of retractableturnspout closures of the type disclosed in commonly assigned US. Pat.No. 3,371,827 granted Mar. 5, I968, and while the closures of thatpatent represent a considerable advance in the art, the closure of thepresent application is directed to a further advanced closure with animproved valving arrangement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is toprovide an improved retractable turnspout closure of the foregoing typewhich is effectively reclosable and substantially tamper proof whilebeing manufactured of relatively few parts, each individually simple tomanufacture and assemble at relatively reduced cost.

Another object is to provide a retractable turnspout closure of theabove type in which a spout is turned between extreme positions ofprojection and retraction and during this movement cam and cam followermeans operate to raise and lower a valve member in respectively openingand closing a valve in which the container contents are adapted totravel.

These and other objects and advantages will become apparent from thefollowing detailed description which is to be taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the retractable turnspout closure of thepresent invention shown associated with the neck of a container.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the parts of the closure.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken along the line33 of FIG. 1 showing the closure in a retracted and sealed position.

FIG. 4 is a similar view showing the spout in a projected position andthe closure valve opened.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 55 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 4.

FIGS. 7a and 7b are a sectional view of a further embodiment of closurehaving a venting means associated therewith.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION In FIG. I, the retractable turnspout closure 10 ofthe present invention is shown associated with a container or bottle 12of suitable design and configuration for holding either liquid, powder,paste or the like materials. The bottle may be of any suitable materialand for illustrative purposes may be considered a squeeze type bottle.Other varieties of container 12 may require venting or the likeconsiderations. In the illustrated embodiment, the container 12 includesthe usual body portion 14 terminating in an upper neck 16 on whichappears an exterior closure retaining bead 18.

The closure 10 is made of only three parts, including plug 20, spout 22and cap 24.

The plug 20conveniently rests on. the upper lip 26 of the bottle neck 16and is received interiorly thereof to provide the seal between theclosure 10 and the bottle 12. Towards this end, the plug 20 includes asubstantially annular or circular base 28, the outer periphery of whichrests on the neck lip 26. Extending downwardly from the base 28 is adepending annular apron 30 defining a plug portion for frictionallyengaging with the interior surfaces of the bottle neck 16. The plug base28 is provided with an offset or eccentrically located opening 32through which the: container contents are adapted to pass. Extendingupwardly from the base 28 and defining a continuance of the opening 32is an upstanding tube 34. The tube 34 includes an upper lip 36 defininga valve seat forming part of the valve 38 for opening and closing thepassage 32. A ramp 40 is disposed about the tube 34 and cooperates withcompanion ramp surfaces of the spout 22 in opening the valve 38 andpermitting its closure. At a location radially outwardly of the axis ofthe base 28 are a pair of shields 42 and 44. Shield 42 is biasedslightly outwardly at its top relative to its base in order to flexinwardly into an accommodating opening 46 in the cap 24 for purposes ofproviding a safety lock. Shield 44 presents an upstanding edge 48 whichserves as a contact surface for engaging with surfaces of the spout 22and determining the extent to which the spout may be turned uponrotation of the cap 24, and more specifically, thefully extendedposition of the spout 22 from the opening 46 of the cap 24.

The spout 22 defines a laterally extending passage 50 which communicateswith the vertical passage 32 of the plug 20 for directing the containercontents from the closure 10. The spout 22 includes a sleeve 61 adaptedto be telescoped over the tube 34 and includes along its base, ramp 62defining the complementary camming surface which engages with the ramp40 in opening the valve 38. In this connection, the spout includes an internal downwardly depending plug 64 which completes the valve 38 and isadapted to be lowered into the passage 32 to close the valve 38 (FIG. 3)and is adapted to be raised from the valve seat 36 through theinterengagement of the ramps 40 and 62 to open the valve 38 (FIG. 4).

The retraction and projection of the spout 22 and the opening andclosing of the valve 38 are accomplished incident to the turning of thecap 24. The cap 24 includes an annular top 66 from which projects adownwardly depending tubular skirt 68. The lower end of the skirt 68includes an inner annular recess 70 which accommodates the bead 18 formaintaining the closure, particularly the cap 24 on the bottle neck 16.An internal shoulder 72 is also present on the interior of the skirt 38in maintaining the peripheral flash portion of the plug base 28 insealing relationship on the bottle neck lip 26.

As explained previously, the turning or rotation of the cap 24 projectsthe spout 22 outwardly through the opening 46 to permit the containercontents to be dispensed and reverse movement of the cap retracts thespout internally of the cap from the opening 46 at which point theshield 42 extends through the opening 46 for purposes of defining asafety feature of the present invention. In order to facilitate theprojection of the spout 22, the cap includes a vertically extendingcontact surface or edge 74 appearing on a depending wall 76 extendingdownwardly from the inner face of the cap top 66. Eventually, the spout22 upon turning and projection by the contact face 74 will eventuallyabut against the vertically extending face 48 of the shield 44 extendingupwardly from plug 20 to arrest the spout from further movement. Thespout 22 is turned in the reverse direction and retracted uponcounterclockwise movement of the cap 24. Towards this end, thevertically extending edge 78 of the cap opening 46 engages the spout 22to turn it in a clockwise direction. Eventually the ramp or camming face80 of the wall 76 will engage surfaces of the spout to turn it furtherin a counter-clockwise direction and at the same time lower the spoutand consequently the valve plug 64 to close the valve 38. When thisoccurs, the outwardly biased shield 42 will spring into the opening 46of the cap to lock the closure against unintentional opening.

Thus assuming the disposition of parts as shown in FIGS. 3 and with thespout 22 retracted and the valve 38 closed and the safety lock affordedby shield 42 effective as result of its projection through the capopening 46, the container user will execute the following manipulativesteps to permit the discharge of the container contents. Initially, theshield 42 will be pushed or otherwise forced inwardly to clear theopening 46 to permit counter-clockwise rotation of the cap 24. As thecap 24 is turned counter-clockwise, the contact edge 74 will engage thespout 22 and turn it in a counterclockwise direction. The spout 22 willeventually project out through the opening 46 at which time the valve 38will open as result of the raising of the valve plug 64 relative to thevalve seat 66 as result of the interengagement and camming of the ramps40 and 62. The fully projected position of the spout 22 will bedetermined as a result of its contact with the vertically extending stopsurface 48 of the shield 44. At this juncture, the user may dispense thecontainer contents in a desired discharge pattern and location. Reversemovement of the cap 24 -will cause the spout 22 to retract and the valve38 to close. In this connection, the cap 24 is turned in a clockwisedirection and the vertically extending edge 78 of the opening 46 willengage with side surfaces of the spout 22 to cause it to turn in aclockwise direction. The spout 22 will be withdrawn interiorly of theopening 46 and into the interior of the cap. Eventually the ramp orcamming edge 80 will engage with surfaces of the spout 22 to turn itfurther in a clockwise direction and at the same time force itdownwardly so that the valve plug 64 will be lowered on to the valveseat 36 to close the valve 38. When this occurs, the outwardly biasedshield 42 will be opposite the opening 46 whereupon it will springoutwardly to lock therein and prevent further movement of the cap and atthe same time operate as a safety lock against unintentional opening,particularly by children.

In FIGS. 7a and 7b, a further embodiment of the invention is illustratedwhich is advantageously employed where venting is desirable for purposesof replenishing the void or volume resulting from the container contentdischarge by air. Thus, an air passage 84 (FIG. 7b) is convenientlyprovided in both the plug and the spout when the latter is in a fullyprojected position. This passage is adapted to be closed when the spoutis in its fully retracted position .(FIG. 7a).

A dip tube (not shown) may be included in the contemplated embodimentsof this invention, for facilitating dispensing of the container contentsand for using the container in an upright position.

Thus, the several favorable objects and advantages are most effectivelyobtained. Although several somewhat preferred embodiments of theinvention have been disclosed and described in detail herein, it should5 be understood that this invention is in no sense limited thereby andits scope is to be determined by that of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A retractable turnspout closure for closing the neck of a containerand permitting selective discharge of the container contents, comprisingin combination:

a plug adapted to extend across the opening defined by the neck of thecontainer, said plug including a base having a first verticallyextending axis, an opening in said base having a second verticallyextending axis, a valve seat forming part of a valve disposed about saidopening;

a rotatable spout having a passage therethrough for cooperating indirecting the container contents during discharge therefrom, and a valvemember also forming part of the valve adapted to assume a lower firstposition at which it engages with the valve seat of the plug in closingsaid opening and prevent the container contents from discharging fromthe spout passage and a raised second position at which it is spacedfrom the valve seat to permit the. container contents to travel throughthe opening into the passage and be discharged therefrom; v

a rotatable cap extending over the plug and having an opening throughwhich the spout is adapted to project when said valve is in said raisedsecond position and from which the spout is adapted to be retracted whensaid valve is in said lower first position;

contact means in the path of rotation of the spout for contacting thespout and move it from its retracted to its projecting position uponrotation of the cap in one direction; and

cam and cam follower means for moving the valve member from the lowerfirst position to the raised second position to open the valve when thecap is rotated in said one direction and for moving the valve memberfrom the raised second position to the lower first position to close thevalve when the cap is rotated in said other direction the cam and camfollower means including mating ramps on the spout and plug for raisingthe valve member to open the valve when the spout is rotated from itsretracted position to its projected position upon rotation of the cap inone direction, the cam and cam follower means including a rampprojecting downwardly from the interior of the cap for engagement withsurfaces of the spout for lowering the valve member to close the valvewhen the spout is rotated from its projected position to its retractedposition upon rotation of the cap in the other direction.

2. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the plug includesmeans for securing the plug to the neck of the container.

3. The invention in accordance with claim 2 wherein the securing meansis a downwardly depending annular apron for engaging with the innersurfaces of the container neck.

4. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the plug includes aradially extending flange for seating on the top of the container neckin cooperating to seal the plug to the neck.

5. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein a shield extendsupwardly from the base of the plug and interiorly of the cap to coverthe cap opening when the spout is retracted.

6. The invention in accordance with claim 5 wherein the shield is biasedradially outwardly to project the upper end of the shield into the capopening to serve as a safety lock requiring deliberate radially inwardmovement of the shield to free the cap for rotation in said onedirection.

7a The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the spout includes adownwardly depending annular apron and an annular type extendingupwardly from the plug base defining said plug opening, the tube beingtelescoped inwardly of the spout apron, the spout having a laterallyextending tubular portion the interior of which communicates with theinterior of the spout apron defining the spout passage, a downwardlydepending plug portion on the interior of the spout adapted to belowered in the plug tube in said first lowered position of the valve andcooperates with adjacent surfaces of the spout in defining the valvemember, and the upper end of the plug tube defining the valve seat.

8. The invention in accordance with claim ll wherein the ramp includesstop means for determining the fully retracted position of the spout.

9. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the contact meansincludes a vertical surface on the interior of the cap for engaging thespout when the cap is rotated in said one direction to move the spoutfrom its retracted position to its projected position, and a verticalsurface on the cap defining part of the cap opening for engaging thespout when the cap is rotated in said other direction to move the spoutfrom its pro jected position to its retracted position.

llll. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the closureincludes venting means for permitting introduction of air into containeras the container contents are discharged.

ill. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the axis of theplug hole is eccentrically lo cated on the plug base.

12, A closure for closing the neck of a container and permittingselective discharge of the container contents, comprising incombination:

plug means adapted to extend across the opening defined by thecontainer, an opening defined by the plug through which the containercontents are adapted to travel;

nozzle means adapted to direct the container contents from the plugopening to the selected discharge location;

cap means defining an opening through which the nozzle means is adaptedto project when discharging the container contents, such nozzle meansbeing adapted to be retracted from the cap opening; and

shield means extending between the cap and the plug to cover the capopening when the nozzle means is retracted, the shield means beingbiased radially outwardly to project the upper end of the shield intothe cap opening to serve as a safety lock to require radially inwardmovement of the shield to free the cap and thereby permit the nozzlemeans to project through the cap opening. 13. A retractable turnspoutclosure for closing the neck of a container and permitting selectivedischarge of the container contents, comprising in combination:

a plug adapted to extend across the opening defined by the neck of thecontainer, said plug including a base having a first verticallyextending axis, an openingin said base having a second verticallyextending axis, a valve seat forming part of a valve disposed about saidopening;

a rotatable spout having a passage therethrough for cooperating indirecting the container contents during dischargetherefrom, and a valvemember also forming part of the valve adapted to assume a lower firstposition at which it engages with the valve seat of the plug in closingsaid opening and prevent the container contents from discharging fromthe spout passage and a :raised second posi- -tion at which it is spacedfrom the valve seat to permit the container contents to travel throughthe opening into the passage and be discharged therefrom;

a rotatable cap extending over the plug and having an opening throughwhich the spout is adapted to project when said valve is in said raisedsecond position and from which the spout is adapted to be retracted whensaid valve is in said lower first position;

contact means in the path of rotation of the spout for contacting thespout and move it from its retracted to its projecting position uponrotation of the cap in one direction;

cam and cam follower means for moving the valve member from the lowerfirst position to the raised second position to open the valve when thecap is rotated in said one direction and for moving the valve memberfrom the raised second position to the lower first position to close thevalve when the cap is rotated in said other direction; and

a shield extending upwardly from the base of the plug and interiorly ofthe cap to cover the cap opening when the spout is retracted, the shieldbeing biased radially outwardly to project the upper end of the shieldinto the cap opening to serve as a safety lock requiring deliberateradially inward movement of the shield to free the cap for rotation insaid one direction.

14. A retractable turnspout closure for closing the neck of a containerand permitting selective discharge of the container contents, comprisingin combination:

a plug adapted to extend across the opening defined by the neck of thecontainer, said plug including a base having a first verticallyextending axis, an opening in said base having a second verticallyextending axis, a valve seat forming part of a valve disposed about saidopening;

a rotatable spout having a passage therethrough for cooperating indirecting the container contents during discharge therefrom, and a valvemember also forming part of the valve adapted to assume a lower firstposition at which it engages with the valve seat of the plug in closingsaid opening and prevent the container contents from discharging fromthe spout passage and a raised second position at which it is spacedfrom the valve seat to permit the container contents to travel throughthe opening into the passage and be discharged therefrom, the spoutincluding a downwardly depending annular apron and an annular tubeextending upwardly from the plug base defining said plug opening, thetube being telescoped inwardly of the spout a rotatable cap extendingover the plug and having an opening through which the spout is adaptedto project when said valve is in said raised second position and fromwhich the spout is adapted to be retracted when said valve is in saidlower first position;

contact means in the path of rotation of the spout for cam and camfollower means for moving the valve member from the lower first positionto the raised second position to open the valve when the cap is rotatedin said one direction and for moving the valve member from the raisedsecond position to the lower first position to close the valve when thecap is rotated in said other direction, said cap cooperating withadjacent surfaces for defining ramp means of the cam and cam followermeans for raising the valve member to open the valve when the spout isrotated from its retracted position to its projected position uponrotation of the cap in one direction and for lowering the valve memberto close the valve when the spout is rotated from its projected positionto its retracted position upon rotation of the cap in the otherdirection.

1. A retractable turnspout closure for closing the neck of a containerand permitting selective discharge of the container contents, comprisingin combination: a plug adapted to extend across the opening defined bythe neck of the container, said plug including a base having a firstvertically extending axis, an opening in said base having a secondvertically extending axis, a valve seat forming part of a valve disposedabout said opening; a rotatable spout having a passage therethrough forcooperating in directing the container contents during dischargetherefrom, and a valve member also forming part of the valve adapted toassume a lower first position at which it engages with the valve seat ofthe plug in closing said opening and prevent the container contents fromdischarging from the spout passage and a raised second position at whichit is spaced from the valve seat to permit the container contents totravel through the opening into the passage and be discharged therefrom;a rotatable cap extending over the plug and having an opening throughwhich the spout is adapted to project when said valve is in said raisedsecond position and from which the spout is adapted to be retracted whensaid valve is in said lower first position; contact means in the path ofrotation of the spout for contacting the spout and move it from itsretracted to its projecting position upon rotation of the cap in onedirection; and cam and cam follower means for moving the valve memberfrom the lower first position to the raised second position to open thevalve when the cap is rotated in said one direction and for moving thevalve member from the raised second position to the lower first positionto close the valve when the cap is rotated in said other direction thecam and cam follower means including mating ramps on the spout and plugfor raising the valve member to open the valve when the spout is rotatedfrom its retracted position to its projected position upon rotation ofthe cap in one direction, the cam and cam follower means including aramp projecting downwardly from the interior of the cap for engagementwith surfaces of the spout for lowering the valve member to close thevalve when the spout is rotated from its projected position to itsretracted position upon rotation of the cap in the other direction. 2.The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the plug includes meansfor securing the plug to the neck of the container.
 3. The invention inaccordance with claim 2 wherein the securing means is a downwardlydepending annular apron for engaging with the inner surfaces of thecontainer neck.
 4. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein theplug includes a radially extending flange for seating on the top of thecontainer neck in cooperating to seal the plug to the neck.
 5. Theinvention in accordance with claim 1 wherein a shield extends upwardlyfrom the base of the plug and interiorly of the cap to cover the capopening when the spout is retracted.
 6. The invention in accordance withclaim 5 wherein the shield is biased radially outwardly to project theupper end of the shield into the cap opening to serve as a safety lockrequiring deliberate radially inward movement of the shield to free thecap for rotation in said one direction.
 7. The invention in accordancewith claim 1 wherein the spout includes a downwardly depending annularapron and an annular type extending upwardly from the plug base definingsaid plug opening, the tube being telescoped inwardly Of the spoutapron, the spout having a laterally extending tubular portion theinterior of which communicates with the interior of the spout aprondefining the spout passage, a downwardly depending plug portion on theinterior of the spout adapted to be lowered in the plug tube in saidfirst lowered position of the valve and cooperates with adjacentsurfaces of the spout in defining the valve member, and the upper end ofthe plug tube defining the valve seat.
 8. The invention in accordancewith claim 1 wherein the ramp includes stop means for determining thefully retracted position of the spout.
 9. The invention in accordancewith claim 1 wherein the contact means includes a vertical surface onthe interior of the cap for engaging the spout when the cap is rotatedin said one direction to move the spout from its retracted position toits projected position, and a vertical surface on the cap defining partof the cap opening for engaging the spout when the cap is rotated insaid other direction to move the spout from its projected position toits retracted position.
 10. The invention in accordance with claim 1wherein the closure includes venting means for permitting introductionof air into container as the container contents are discharged.
 11. Theinvention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the axis of the plug holeis eccentrically located on the plug base.
 12. A closure for closing theneck of a container and permitting selective discharge of the containercontents, comprising in combination: plug means adapted to extend acrossthe opening defined by the container, an opening defined by the plugthrough which the container contents are adapted to travel; nozzle meansadapted to direct the container contents from the plug opening to theselected discharge location; cap means defining an opening through whichthe nozzle means is adapted to project when discharging the containercontents, such nozzle means being adapted to be retracted from the capopening; and shield means extending between the cap and the plug tocover the cap opening when the nozzle means is retracted, the shieldmeans being biased radially outwardly to project the upper end of theshield into the cap opening to serve as a safety lock to requireradially inward movement of the shield to free the cap and therebypermit the nozzle means to project through the cap opening.
 13. Aretractable turnspout closure for closing the neck of a container andpermitting selective discharge of the container contents, comprising incombination: a plug adapted to extend across the opening defined by theneck of the container, said plug including a base having a firstvertically extending axis, an opening in said base having a secondvertically extending axis, a valve seat forming part of a valve disposedabout said opening; a rotatable spout having a passage therethrough forcooperating in directing the container contents during dischargetherefrom, and a valve member also forming part of the valve adapted toassume a lower first position at which it engages with the valve seat ofthe plug in closing said opening and prevent the container contents fromdischarging from the spout passage and a raised second position at whichit is spaced from the valve seat to permit the container contents totravel through the opening into the passage and be discharged therefrom;a rotatable cap extending over the plug and having an opening throughwhich the spout is adapted to project when said valve is in said raisedsecond position and from which the spout is adapted to be retracted whensaid valve is in said lower first position; contact means in the path ofrotation of the spout for contacting the spout and move it from itsretracted to its projecting position upon rotation of the cap in onedirection; cam and cam follower means for moving the valve member fromthe lower first position to the raised second position to open the valvewhen the cap is rotated In said one direction and for moving the valvemember from the raised second position to the lower first position toclose the valve when the cap is rotated in said other direction; and ashield extending upwardly from the base of the plug and interiorly ofthe cap to cover the cap opening when the spout is retracted, the shieldbeing biased radially outwardly to project the upper end of the shieldinto the cap opening to serve as a safety lock requiring deliberateradially inward movement of the shield to free the cap for rotation insaid one direction.
 14. A retractable turnspout closure for closing theneck of a container and permitting selective discharge of the containercontents, comprising in combination: a plug adapted to extend across theopening defined by the neck of the container, said plug including a basehaving a first vertically extending axis, an opening in said base havinga second vertically extending axis, a valve seat forming part of a valvedisposed about said opening; a rotatable spout having a passagetherethrough for cooperating in directing the container contents duringdischarge therefrom, and a valve member also forming part of the valveadapted to assume a lower first position at which it engages with thevalve seat of the plug in closing said opening and prevent the containercontents from discharging from the spout passage and a raised secondposition at which it is spaced from the valve seat to permit thecontainer contents to travel through the opening into the passage and bedischarged therefrom, the spout including a downwardly depending annularapron and an annular tube extending upwardly from the plug base definingsaid plug opening, the tube being telescoped inwardly of the spoutapron, the spout having a laterally extending tubular portion theinterior of which communicates with the interior of the spout aprondefining the spout passage, a downwardly depending plug portion on theinterior of the spout adapted to be lowered in the plug tube in saidfirst lowered position of the valve and cooperates with adjacentsurfaces of the spout in defining the valve member, and the upper end ofthe plug tube defining the valve seat; a rotatable cap extending overthe plug and having an opening through which the spout is adapted toproject when said valve is in said raised second position and from whichthe spout is adapted to be retracted when said valve is in said lowerfirst position; contact means in the path of rotation of the spout forcontacting the spout and move it from its retracted to its projectingposition upon rotation of the cap in one direction; and cam and camfollower means for moving the valve member from the lower first positionto the raised second position to open the valve when the cap is rotatedin said one direction and for moving the valve member from the raisedsecond position to the lower first position to close the valve when thecap is rotated in said other direction, said cap cooperating withadjacent surfaces for defining ramp means of the cam and cam followermeans for raising the valve member to open the valve when the spout isrotated from its retracted position to its projected position uponrotation of the cap in one direction and for lowering the valve memberto close the valve when the spout is rotated from its projected positionto its retracted position upon rotation of the cap in the otherdirection.